Novak, Williams reach China Open quarters

Serena Williams at China Open... on Thursday.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams advanced to the quarterfinals of the China Open on Thursday.

Djokovic  managed to fend off the brave challenge of Fernando Verdasco in a final set to reach the stage, while  Williams twice came from behind to get the better of Maria Kirilenko 7-5 7-5 to progress.

After the world No. 1 Djokovic  took the opening set 7-5, Verdasco hit back to stun the Serb 6-2 in the second and force a decider. However, the resistance of Verdasco faded as Djokovic recovered to avoid an upset to win the third set 6-2 and seal his place in the last-eight.

Djokovic was cruising in the first set after opening up a 4-1 lead. Verdasco though began to find his feet and took three games on the spin to get the break back – losing just one point on his serve in that

period.

With the pair holding serve in the following three games, it was Djokovic who ensured he took the first set by breaking Verdasco thanks to a double fault from his opponent.

Kirilenko broke Williams at 5-4 and was 40-0 up in the first set. Williams though fought back to take it herself.

And  again it was Kirilenko who held the advantage in the second set, leading 4-2, but Williams recovered to clinch her 70th victory of the campaign to see off the 2005 champion.

“I just thought, ‘What else can I do except fight for this point and the next point,’” Williams said on the moment she faced three set points.

“Maybe I got lucky a little bit – I just started to relax and kind of swing and not think about it too much out there. I’m obviously just really happy to get through this match today.”

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will be Williams’ quarter-final opponent after the Dane defeated Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-1.